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Just then the young child came walking in
the office. "Well, did you find one? " No, not this time, she said
with sadness in her voice. Can we come back
on the weekend? The two
women looked at each other, shook their heads
and laughed.
You never know when we will get more
dogs. Unfortunately, there's always a
supply, the volunteer said. The
young child took her Mother by the hand and headed to the door. "Don't
worry, I bet we'll find one this weekend, the child said.
Over the next few days both mom and dad had
long conversations with her. They both felt she was being too
particular. It's this weekend or we're not looking any more, Dad finally
said in frustration. We don't want to hear anything more about puppy
size either, mom added.
Sure enough they were the
first ones in the shelter on Saturday morning.
By now the young child knew her way around, so she ran right for the
section that housed the smaller dogs. Tired of the routine, mom sat in
the small waiting room at the end of the first row of cages. There was
an observation window so you could see the animals during times when
visitors weren't permitted.
The young girl walked slowly from cage to cage, kneeling periodically to
take
a closer look. One by one the dogs were brought out and she held
each one. One by one she said, Sorry, you're not the one. It was the
last cage
on this last day in search of the perfect pup. The volunteer
opened the
cage door and the child carefully picked up the dog and held
it closely.
This time she took a little longer...............................................
Mom, that's it! I found the right puppy! He's the
one! I know it! she screamed with joy. Mom, startled by all the
commotion, came running. What? Are you sure? How do you know? she
asked. "It's the puppy sighs!" Yes, it the same size as all the other
puppies you held the last few weeks, mom said. No, not size -- sighs.
When I held him in my arms he sighed, she said. So? Don't you
remember? When I asked you one day what love is, you told me Love
depends on the sighs of your heart. The more you love, the bigger the
sighs!
The two women looked at each other
for a moment. Mom didn't know whether to laugh or cry. As she stooped
down to hug her child she did a
little of both. Mom every time you
hold me I sigh. When you and Daddy come home from work and hug each
other you both sigh. I knew I would find the right puppy if it sighed
when I held it in my arms, she said. Then holding the puppy up close to
her face she said, Mom, he loves me. I heard the sighs of his heart.
Close your eyes for a moment and think about the
love that makes you sigh. I not only find it in the arms of my loved
ones, but in the caress of a sunset, the kiss of the moonlight and the
gentle brush of cool air on a hot day. They are the sighs of God. |
